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Kirsty condemns Tory Threat to Free OAP Bus Passes
August 11, 2009 1:00 PM
Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has been left angered and astounded by the Conservatives call to end free bus travel for all pensioners in Wales.
Free bus passes for everyone over sixty were introduced when the Welsh Liberal Democrats were in power in the Assembly. But in a move which has left many elderly people upset and angry, Conservative plans have been uncovered to end the free service during peak times, and review the future of free travel altogether.
TORY CUTS
Kirsty Williams said: "I am shocked that the conservatives are even considering these plans. In rural areas such as ours the scheme allows isolated pensioners not only greater freedom to travel but also crucially access to essential day to day services such as post offices and shops; services which have been greatly eroded by Tory and Labour government's over the years.
"Powys pensioners are already penalised both by the inability to use bus passes cross border and by the cancellation of the use of passes on the Heart of Wales Line over the summer months.
"The Welsh Lib Dems want to maintain this service for everyone as a key priority, with Labour/Plaid Government officials also calling for it to be reviewed, we must keep up the pressure against the Tory plans."
FREEDOM TO TRAVEL
The service has been beneficial for younger residents too by stimulating demand for bus services which might otherwise have been dropped through lack of use. Officials of the Labour-Plaid Cymru Government in the Assembly have now called for the service to be reviewed to save money, while the Welsh Lib Dems have promised to prioritise the future of the service.
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